Texas Leadership Forum

In 2007 the Today Foundation created Texas Leadership Forum (“TLF”). TLF is a program which seeks to foster civic involvement, leadership and character building in high school students while educating them about government and how public policy is developed.

Students are chosen from select North Texas public high schools based on academic performance, community involvement and leadership ability. Applications include a resume, two one-page essays and a letter of recommendation by a teacher, principal, counselor or community leader. Applications are reviewed by the TLF Advisory Board of Directors with final selection made by the TLF Advisory Board of Directors in April of each year. Students must pass background checks prior to selection.

TLF students will have access during the school year to individuals and opportunities not available to most high school students. Participants will meet and interact with business and professional people, elected officials and community leaders. TLF provides leadership training, community engagement, career exploration and character building for its participants.

In addition, TLF participants who complete the course are awarded a scholarship to the American Leaders Institute, a comprehensive, week-long symposium on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. During this symposium, they will take part in substantive meetings, briefings, and presentations. They will have the opportunity to attend committee hearings, sessions of Congress and visit offices on the Hill. The goal is to provide broad exposure to the inner-workings of government and life in the nation’s capital.

TLF Founder Honorable Pete Sessions states, “All TLF participants have proven their commitment to learning and contributing to their communities, and the opportunity to see Washington firsthand will aide them in future goals of civic responsibility and leadership. The leadership skills they have developed will serve them well in their future educational and professional goals, and I look forward to hearing of their continued success.”

Recently, Gary Griffith, along with TLF alumni students, Ben Ramalho and Selina Rodriguez, spoke at the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Week Luncheon. The students each closed with their view of what they see as the direction of the United States today.

TLF has been very successful in helping our students transition from high school seniors to college students. From 2007-2019, 250 students have participated in the TLF program. Upon high school graduation, 80% of those students enrolled in university level institutions, 20% enrolled in junior college, and one student joined the U.S. military.

Our TLF graduates are enrolled in colleges and universities across the country. They are currently represented at or have graduated from:

Arizona State University
Austin College
Abilene Christian University
Babson College
Bates College
Baylor University
Bennett College
Brown University
Colgate University
DePauw University
Earlham College
El Centro College
Georgetown University
Hardin Simmons
Harvard University
Hofstra University
Jackson State University
Kilgore College
Lamar University
Louisiana State University

Mountain View College
New York University
Rice University
Ohio State University
Pepperdine University
Richland College
Sam Houston State University
Southwest Assemblies of God University
St. Edward’s University
St. Mary’s University
Stanford University
Stephen F. Austin University
Tarleton State University
Texas Christian University
Texas A & M University
Texas State University
Texas Tech University
Texas Wesleyan University
Texas Women’s University

Trinity University
University of Arkansas
University of Dallas
University of Houston
University of North Texas
University of Mary Hardin Baylor
University of Missouri
University of Notre Dame
University of Oklahoma
University of Nebraska
University of Rochester
University of Southern California
University of Texas
University of Texas at Arlington
University of Texas at Dallas
University of Texas at San Antonio
Williams College